2024 college football recruiting class rankings: Top 25 schools
Georgia was able to fend off any challengers to the top spot, for now, with the recent addition of five-star QB Dylan Raiola. While the Bulldogs are already in excellent position to sign their eighth straight top-three class, contenders are emerging behind them, including a pair of rivals.
Used to big clashes on the field, Michigan and Ohio State are also battling it out near the top of the class rankings with the Wolverines edging past the Buckeyes into the No. 2 slot. Jim Harbaugh and staff have been very active in recent weeks with multiple commitments, including one of the nation's top TE prospects in Brady Prieskorn and ESPN 300 DL Jerod Smith, a versatile defensive lineman that brings a nice blend of explosiveness and power, as well as a competitive demeanor. While his commitment is big, Michigan also remains in the mix for his twin brother Jacob, who can be a disruptive pass rusher with excellent bend and body control.
Shane Beamer has South Carolina as a contender for a top-10 class, which would be the program's first in over 15 years. The Gamecocks continue to do well in-state while also building a very strong offensive line class with commitments from two of the state's top prospects who are also ESPN 300 OTs in Kam Pringle and Josiah Thompson.
Cincinnati may be a newcomer to the Big 12, but the Bearcats currently have one of the highest-ranked classes in that conference, landing at No. 23. Two promising front-seven defenders out of the Southeast boost their class: three-star Josaiah Knight out of Florida, who has good length, and Qua Birdsong, an explosive edge defender who can get after the QB, out of Georgia.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 1SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Dylan Raiola (No. 1)
Top defensive commit: CB Ellis Robinson IV (No. 4)
With back-to-back national titles under their belt, they are not only back in the mix near the top of the rankings for 2024, but are also clearly setting the pace. Half their class is ranked among the top 50 in the ESPN 300 including the No. 1 overall ranked player, Dylan Raiola. The five-star QB is a passer with a strong arm, good poise and from an athletic family with strong football bloodlines and comes with a skill set that could allow him to contribute immediately. They are also continuing to reload with defensive talent. While most teams were looking to finish their 2023 classes strong during this past signing day, Georgia further strengthened its 2024 class, landing five-star CB Ellis Robinson IV out of IMG Academy (Florida). On the heels of signing No. 3 safety Joenel Aguero in the 2023 cycle, they already have two of the nation's top safeties on board in Jaylen Heyward and Peyton Woodyard, another nice pull out of California. They wasted little time continuing to address the WR position, adding one of the top in-state prospects in Ny Carr, a target with big-play speed and upside. NiTareon Tuggle, whose nickname is "Nitro," is another potential offensive weapon as he is an agile route runner that put forth an MVP performance at the Under Armour Ohio camp this spring.
2. Michigan Wolverines
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 3Big Ten rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Jadyn Davis (No. 37)
Top defensive commit: DT Jerod Smith (No. 169)
Michigan is battling for one of the top classes not only in the Big Ten, but in the country. Jadyn Davis was a big pickup at QB, as he is an accurate passer with a smooth release who has been highly productive, throwing for more than 3,400 yards with 43 TDs as a junior while completing 73% of his passes. RB Jordan Marshall was a nice pull out of Ohio, as he is a runner with a wonderful blend of speed, quickness and balance, exemplified by his excellent testing numbers -- a laser-timed 4.53 40-yard dash and 7.04 L-drill -- at the Ohio UA camp. Closer to home, Jacob Oden is a defender who will come downhill and close well in run support. Mason Curtis can be a well-rounded linebacker who is tough enough to play the run and flexible and agile enough to be effective in coverage. On the defensive line, Jerod Smith brings a competitive demeanor with a versatile skill set with his blend of quickness and power.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
ESPN 300 commits: 8 | Previous ranking: 2Big Ten rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Jeremiah Smith (No. 13)
Top defensive commit: S Garrett Stover (No. 115)
Ohio State has been producing elite WR talent and looks to keep that position a strength with a pair of top-10 receivers in the class. Jeremiah Smith is a rangy target that can hit top speed quickly and make defenders miss. Mylan Graham may be a little quicker then fast but is fluid and can be elusive. They may have lost a verbal from five-star QB Dylan Raiola in December, but Ohio State adjusted very well, landing lefty Air Noland, who has a quick release, good arm strength and mobility, showing off all those qualities in an MVP performance at a loaded Under Armour Atlanta camp this offseason. To help those big-play weapons excel, the Buckeyes have also added several talented OL commitments, including ESPN 300 OT Ian Moore.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 6Independent rank: 1
Top offensive commit: QB C.J. Carr (No. 35)
Top defensive commit: DE Owen Wafle (four stars)
Notre Dame had the top class early in the 2023 cycle, and Marcus Freeman has the Irish competing among the top classes again. A statement win early on was landing QB C.J. Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. He fits in nicely with the offense -- he has a strong arm, nice touch on his deep balls and makes quick decisions. The Irish are building around Carr, and soon after he came aboard, they added an excellent receiving target in Cam Williams, who can be a vertical threat. ESPN 300 ATH Isiah Canion exploded on the scene after an impressive performance at the Atlanta UA camp in February and gives them another big-play weapon with length, speed and quickness.
5. LSU Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 4SEC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Trey'Dez Green (No. 105)
Top defensive commit: S Maurice Williams (No. 129)
Brian Kelly's first full class at the helm was among the best in the country. He has the Tigers recruiting at a high level again for 2024, securing his QB this past fall in Colin Hurley, a passer with an arm that can create on the move and make off-platform throws. After signing three four-stars out of Texas, they continue to pull defensive talent out of the Lone Star State, now in ESPN 300 defender Maurice Williams. Kelly returned closer to his old recruiting base to land TE Tayvion Galloway out of Ohio. A target with a nice catch radius, he is also a good, willing blocker that should help aid their ground game. From the fertile in-state recruiting pool, they also added another big receiving target in Trey'Dez Green, a prospect with elite length and a frame to further develop. Green is fluid in his movements and can be a red zone threat.